Marathon is on the Florida Keys, 108 miles southwest of Miami and 49 miles
northeast of Key West. It is on the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and
the Bay of Florida. The elevation is about seven feet.

2. Transportation:

U. S. Highway 1 passes through Marathon. Greyhound Lines provides bus serv-
ice. Air and rail service is not available. Marathon has a very fine air-
strip for private planes.

3. Population:

Monroe County had a population of 19,018 in 1945. Marathon is an unincorpo-
rated town and its population figures were not reported.

4. Climate:

(From observations at Key West, Florida.)

Normal Normal Normal Normal
Temperature Rainfall Temperature Rainfall

January 69.5 1.96 July 83.5 3.28
February 70.5 1.34 August 83.5 4.51
March 72.6 1.39 September 82.2 6.70
April 75.7 1.29 October 79.1 6.00
May 79.1 3.54 November 74.3 2.19
June 81.9 4.24 December 70.3 1.67
Annual 76.8 38.11

5. History:

Marathon was first established as a camp for the construction crews building
the Overseas Railroad. During its early days, Marathon was such a boisterous
settlement churches sent a "gospel boat" from Key West to the eamps here and
elsewhere on the keys. After the railroad and bridges were completed in 1912,
the camps were abandoned. However, the railroad brought tourists to the area
and provided rapid transportation to market for the catches of commercial
fishermen. The railroad was badly damaged by a hurricane in September, 1935,
and was abandoned. The roadbed and bridges were purchased by the State Road
Department for $640,000 and utilized for building a highway that was formally
opened on July 4, 1938.

6. Maior Sources of Income:

Commercial fishing, the growing of limes and papayas, and tourist trade are
the main sources of income.

Part B---Recreation and Entertainment

1. Special Events:

Marathon participates in the Miami Metropolitan Fishing Tournament.

2. Athletic Events:

Marathon's softball team won the 1947 pennant in the Florida Keys Softball
League.

3. Tourist Clubs:

None.

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17

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MARATHON, FLORIDA

4. Recreational Clubst

None.

5. Civic Organizations:

American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary
Parent-Teacher Association
Chamber of Commerce

6. Fraternal Organizations$ *

None.

7. Organized Entertainment:

Community dances every two weeks, sponsored by the American Legion.
Weekly benefit bingo games during the winter.

8. Recreational Facilities:

Pool and ocean swimming.

9. Hunting:

There is no hunting in this area.

10. Fishing

Salt water fish are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the
Bay of Florida. There are numerous fishing camps at Marathon with restau-
rants and cocktail bars, daily prices are a3.50 per couple and up. Meals
range from 750 to $4.50. Fishing guides are: